Dilfer in his glory

Trent Dilfer returned as a reluctant hero, a quarterback with no ego who runs an offense with no ego.

Dilfer is 10-1 since taking the reins of the Ravens' as starter. And no matter whether detractors characterize his role as minimal or unimportant, nobody can take away the fact his name will go down ... as a starting quarterback in Super Bowl XXXV.

That the game happens to be in Tampa, where for six years he was lambasted by critics, is mere happenstance to him.

Calling him the beneficiary of perhaps one of the finest defenses in league history is of no consequence. He can't be shaken by it. He is too busy soaking up the reality of the strength he has drawn from his teammates. And not necessarily his teammates who play on defense.